If you’ve never heard of peanut butter soup, you’re not alone. Most Americans haven’t.
While this dish has its roots in Africa, folks in Asia, South America, and even some parts of the US eat it on a regular basis. You might be missing out on your new favorite meal.
Today, we’re digging up the details of this delicacy to answer all your burning questions.
Let’s get started!
What is Peanut Butter Soup?
To most Americans, peanut butter soup is an unfamiliar dish. But for many folks around the world, it’s as familiar as burgers and fries are to us.
The meal originated in West Africa. It’s also popular in parts of Asia, South America, and even Virginia. Depending on your location, you might refer to it as “peanut soup” or “groundnut soup.”
As its name suggests, the main ingredient is peanut butter or paste. It’s considered a special meal in Ghana and Nigeria. Some eat it alone, while others serve it with meat or side dishes. There are dozens of tasty variations to try.
What Does Peanut Butter Soup Taste Like?
Unsurprisingly, peanut butter soup tastes a lot like the beloved nut. Thanks to the peanut paste, the dish has a rich flavor and smooth texture. So if you love nuts, you’ll love this meal.
In Africa, this dish traditionally includes regional ingredients such as Ashanti pepper and bitter leaf. Other staple ingredients include coconut milk or cream, onions, tomatoes, eggplant, okra, and ginger. For spice, you can make it with jalapeños or other hot peppers.
Try eating the soup with your favorite sides. Serve it with fish, chicken, or chickpeas to add protein. You could even spoon it over pasta or french fries as they do in South America.
Is Peanut Butter Soup Healthy?
As entrees go, peanut butter soup is a pretty healthy one. The nuts are a great source of protein, fiber, and tons of vitamins and minerals. Studies show that peanuts keep you full longer and raise energy levels. Since most of the other traditional ingredients are vegetables and herbs, it doesn’t get much healthier than that.
However, if you’re limiting saturated fats, be careful. Peanut butter, coconut milk, and cream have high levels. Use these ingredients sparingly to reduce the amount of fat in the dish.
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What Do You Serve With Peanut Butter Soup?
There’s no wrong way to enjoy this West African delicacy. Fish, meat, soybeans, and grains are great additions.
For a really tasty combination, consider serving fresh bread as a side. You can also pour it over rice for a cozy, curry-style dinner. That said, it’s still delicious on its own if you’d rather not make extra work for yourself.
What If I’m Allergic to Peanuts?
Peanut allergies can be serious and even life-threatening. If you’re allergic, you won’t want to eat traditional peanut butter soup.
Thankfully, there’s another way to enjoy this tasty dish. You could try making it with almond butter. The flavor is similar and goes just as well with the other ingredients. If you choose this substitution, use a one-to-one ratio.
Other Healthy African Soups
Peanut butter soup isn’t the only flavorful broth from Africa. This massive continent is a haven for delicious recipes full of spice and flavor. Here are just a few other healthy options that originated in Africa.
Pepper Soup
Pepper soup is another popular West African dish, especially in Nigeria. Like many regional dishes, there are tons of variations. The only ingredient that’s constant is the pepper.
Choosing your pepper is the first step. Don’t be afraid to pick a spicy one. According to many recipes, you’ll stew a chicken to create the base, then add a rich spice blend that often includes lemongrass and lime leaves. You can serve it over rice or with yams, plantains, or potatoes.
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Cassava Leaf Soup
For a nutritious, veggie-dense meal, you can’t beat cassava leaf soup. It’s originally from Central Africa and is prevalent in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon.
Of course, cassava leaves are the star of the dish. Many recipes call for at least a pound of them. The soup’s other standard ingredients include smoked fish, peppers, onion, peanut butter, and coconut milk.
The key to this dish is properly cooking the cassava leaves. Raw leaves contain trace levels of cyanide that naturally evaporate when heated. Be sure to keep them away from pets or small children so they don’t get sick.
Okra Soup
Folks in the Southern US typically eat okra fried. But this versatile veggie also makes a great brothy dish. Okra soup comes from West Africa and is popular in Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
Most recipes have you braise oxtail, catfish, or goat meat as the base. Stew the okra with spices, shellfish, onions, beans, and bell peppers. In addition, some people use spinach or other greens for extra veggies. The final result is a spicy, flavorful meal that’ll keep you full for hours.
Don’t forget the peanut butter!
Is Peanut Butter Soup Worth Trying?
Peanut butter soup might sound strange to American foodies. We’re used to seeing this ingredient in sandwiches, snacks, and desserts, but not entrees.
But like many international foods, this broth is delicious, complex, and super tasty. Better yet, you can customize it to your preferences. Don’t knock it till you try it. We definitely think it’s worth a taste!
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